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The Eyes of Christ

Several years ago, I was standing at the pharmacy counter waiting for my son’s prescription. For two years, he had been suffering from a migraine pain syndrome set off by a fall on a gym floor. We had been to doctors, neurologists, and a vascular specialist who told us our son had the worst kind of migraines. Nothing we tried seemed to give him relief for any period of time. So there I was, buying yet another prescription that may or may not help. I was feeling sorry for myself because I was putting out more money that was probably being spent in vain that could have been used for something else. As I was spiraling down in the quietness of my own thoughts, I just happened to look out the window.

There in front of me was a middle-aged man walking by. He was obviously going to the railroad tracks behind the pharmacy hoping to catch a train. He was carrying a backpack as he moved along. Then…he looked up and I saw him…really saw him. He had the saddest eyes I had ever seen. They were filled with pain and suffering and bore deep into my soul. At that moment, I knew I was looking into the eyes of Christ. There, in that man was true suffering. I was immediately taken aback and felt ashamed. I, who had so much, was feeling sorry for myself and just outside the window was a man who had nothing but the clothes on his back. I will never forget his face or those eyes that bored into my soul. To this day, I will never know if that was an actual man or a manifestation of the Lord on earth.

I do know that in his eyes, I had seen the Lord. He was not walking the hallowed halls of government power or sitting in a plush corporate boardroom. He was there with the lowly, the suffering, and the homeless. I know now that if I want to be where the heart of God is, that I must go where the broken-hearted are. That’s where He will be, ministering his love and grace to those who have no hope and need His help.

“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18

When I was reading Kafka at 20 or, I had the Klaus Wagenbach Biography in my backpack and on the train across me sat a man, who looked just like Kafka on that cover. … Jesus Christ of course is something else. Check out my new youtube vids on the seven deadly sins.

The Eyes of Christ! You know, Valerie, over the years-and there go a few decades-I learned that every moment, whatever it is, we are always accompanied by the eyes of Christ, or his hands, his heart. In fact, I think the eyes that were leaning on yours were your own eyes reflected in that man. And in them, the message, the word, the faith.

Wow. What a heart-stopping story. I felt like I was there with you. It is so easy to feel sorry for ourselves. So often all we can see the problems staring us in the eyes. But if we can just look for a split-second beyond that, we will see the eyes of others. Maybe the eyes of Christ. May we fix our eyes on Him, come what may, and be about His business til He comes again. And yes, that will mean, serving the least of these. For that is what we all are. Bless you!

I had exchanged my large icons for our smaller ones… this reminds me.. I need to put up the large church icons again in my room. So important to know what Jesus looks like and the holy Theotokos. Small icons … at this point I overlook at turn elsewhere… Lord have mercy!

Beautiful. Perspective is everything. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of feeling sorry for ourselves one way or another. Thanks for passing on the loving kick in the pants.

I went to a family thing today. I’m the only Christian on my side of the family. It can overwhelm me a bit. It’s so easy for me to feel alone in my own family, but I’m not alone. I have something they don’t. I want them to know Him too, but from my perspective they don’t have a reason to need Him. If I get focused on this I’m just listening to the devil, right? I kind of look at each and everyone of them as a mountain, and I’m surrounded by them. Again, this isn’t a good perspective. I’m focused more on me. I have to believe in miracles because they need one. I want to say that I need one, but really it’s all of them that needs that miracle. They just don’t know it.

I would really appreciate prayers for my family. It seems like a big request, but I believe that God can handle any request. I have to believe that. I guess I also could use prayer too. I need faith that can move mountains. God says that even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. I don’t know what God is doing with me. I know He’s doing something, but I’m not sure where He’s leading me.

I was the only one with a personal relationship with the Lord. Over the years, the Lord has moved many in my family to accept Him into their hearts. Have faith and give God time to work. Pray for them and love them and when you can, speak a word or two. I will pray for you and your family. Blessings to you! ❤ Valerie